Comelec assures 2028 polls will push through amid no-el claim

Commission on Election (Comelec) chairperson George Garcia reiterated the public that the 2028 national elections will push through after Senator Imee Marcos floated the idea of a no-election scenario.

“No-el 2028 will not happen. It’s a mandate of the Constitution to have an election in that year,” Garcia said in a message on Wednesday.

He added that the Comelec has no contingency plans for a no-election since the 2028 polls are “certain to happen.”

“Hindi puede batas lang (laws can halt the 2028 polls). No higher laws than the Constitution,” he added.

For now, the poll body is studying how to automate the 2028 elections, as well as voter registration and the formulation of rules and guidelines, according to Garcia.

In early May, the Comelec chair assured the public that the 2028 polls would be held amid speculations that it will not push through.

The Comelec chairperson made the statement in response to a query about Vice President Sara Duterte’s remarks, in which she expressed hope that there would be a presidential election in 2028.

During a privilege speech on Monday, Senator Marcos presented a video that supposedly contained documentation, footage, and statements alleging efforts to amend the Constitution through a Constitutional Assembly.

The same video also claimed there were moves to extend the terms of incumbent officials until 2031, lower the age requirement for presidential candidates to 35 years old, and cancel the 2028 presidential elections.

"Impeachment, no elections, term extension. Ito ang inaatupag ng ilang mambabatas na nagiging mambubutas ng sikmura ng taumbayan," Imee said.

(Impeachment, no elections, term extension. These are what other lawmakers are prioritizing.)

President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. brushed off this idea aside as he appeared to scoff when asked about the senator’s claims.

House Deputy Speaker and Iloilo 1st District Rep. Janette Garin also denied that the no-elections scenario and possible term extension were dangled before members of the House when they voted on the impeachment of Vice President Sara Duterte.

“Walang usapan doon na, ‘O sige bumoto kayo para no election, bumoto kayo para extension ng term.’ That is a very funny allegation. Hindi napag-usapan yon. The discussion was purely, if you believe that there is probable cause, vote for the committee report. Kung sa pananaw nyo naman, walang basehan, okay,” Garin stated.

(There’s no talk like, ‘Okay vote for it so there’s no election, vote for extension of terms.’ That is a very funny allegation. That is not being talked about. The discussion was purely, if you believe that there is probable cause, vote for the committee report. If your opinion is that there’s no basis, then okay.) —RF, GMA News